Mold for plastic material.



G. A. HARTER.

MOLD FOR PLASTIC MATERIAL. APPLICATION FILED mums, 1906.

949,571. Patented Feb. 15,1910.

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W neop 6O Znuenim fwfgz wiaufl fa (A aw 13 y G. HARTER. MOLD FOR PLASTIC MATERIAL.

APPLIGATION FILED MAR.23,1906.

Patented Feb. 15, 1910.

SSHEETS-BHEET 2.

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G. A. HARTER.

MOLD FOR/PLASTIC MATERIAL. APPLICATION FILED 11113.23, 1906.

Patented Feb. 15, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

- a wizz u/i/farief UNITED STATES PATENT orrrcu.

GUSTAV A. HARTER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO HARTER ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION.

MOLD FOR PLASTIC MATERIAL.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Feb, 15, 1910,

Application filed March 23, 1906. Serial No. 307,601.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUSTAV A. HARTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Molds for Plastic Material, of which the following is a specification.

M invention relates to improvements in mohi; for plast-iomaterial, and more particularly to molds adapted for the manufacture of electrical fixtures embodying contact parts incased in and partially surround etll by molded insulating material, such as g as .The objectsof my invention are, in general, to provide a mold of the character described, which may be readily manipulated in making a'casting, which will provide the necessary or desirable surface and'sect-ional contours, and will accurately and invariably position the electrical contact parts to beembodied in the fixture manufactured.

Other and further objects will best become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, taken in CODjUIlCtlOH wlth the accompanying drawings, wherein,

mold embodying my invention, showing in position the electrical contact parts to he embodied in the molded article. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the mold complete. lfig. 3 is a transverse section of the article produced by the mold. Fig. 4 is a sectional detail of a contact carrier. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the same, with portions of the rim contacts broken away. Fig. 3 is a transverse section of the annular plug-moving cam structure, and, Y .is a fragmentary plan view of the same.

Throughout the drawings like characters of reference refer always to like parts.

in the drawings, 30 indicates a mold-base in which is made a recess 11 of suitable configuration to receive a contour determining member 12, the inner orcontour-giving surface 13 whereof partially confines the material-space of the mold.

the specific embodiment of my inven tion herein illustrated, the article to be manufactured is a glass cluster socket for incandescent lamps, and I will, therefore, describe the details of my invention as applied to this particular use. In the specific igure 1 is a central vertical section of a construction, therefore, the portion of the material area within the confines of the surface 13 of member 12, is, substantially dishshaped in section and circular in plan. Radially of the memhter 12 are formed open ings 14 alining with similar openings 15 in the base member 10, and in said member 10 is formed a recess 16 entirely surrounding vpin 18 is carried by the plug 17 and projects therefrom in a generally upright direct-ion.

Above and below the plug 17, in the recess 16, are arranged annular rings, 19 and 19, connected together by union pieces 20, 20, suit-ably disposed, the entire ring structure being movable in rotation by a handle 21 suitably secured thereto, and taking through a. horizontal slot 22, formed in the member 10. Cam slots 23 in number corresponding with the number of plugs 17, and of configuration suitable for the purpose to be described, are provided to receive the pins 18 of the several plugs 17. The slot arrangement is such that when the handle 21 is oscillated from one limit of movement to its other limit of movement each pair of cam slots acting upon the pin 18 of the corresponding plug 1. move said plug 17 radially inward or outward, as the case may he, to project it a predetermined distance into the material space within the confines of member 12, or to retract itwholly without said .material space.

25 indicates an annular cover "plate over lying the recess 16 in the base member 10 and bearing upon a suitable shoulder in the contour determining member 12. The member the coacting recess 27 formed in a ring moms ber of the mold structure, generally indi cated as 28. As best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 the ring member 28 is formed in two parts 28, 28", 'pivotally connected as by a is provided at its upper edge with a projecting lip or flange 26 with which engages p and preferably provided hinge pin 29, and provided at the opposite meeting edges with overlapping ears 30 30, provided with apertures 31 31", adapted to be engaged by an eccentric locking bolt 32, provided with an operating lever 33 as is common in mold construction. Handies 33, 33 are provided for moving ring sections 28, 28". The member 12 is provided with a central recess 34:, in which is mounted a removable supporting block 35, preferably provided with an upwardly projecting stem 36.

3'? indicates an anchor member central y apertured as at 88 to slip over the stem 36, with a recess surface surrounding aperture the stem. The upper extremity of ember is preferably conoidal, as indicated u 0.

41 indicates in general a cap-member, the

portion 43 whereof is arranged to interto rt r LllG central opening of the ring strucs shape to interfit with the cothe anchor member 3?, and

ctured as at 51, to permit the )ZlSSw steam 36 52 indicates the screw plate substantially closing the t p or" the recess 48 to ailord the top bearing or the spring l9.

indicates in general a contact carrier. Preferably said carrier is a metal block, having provision made for detachably securing thereto in properly spaced relation, the contacts to be embedded in the plastic material to be molded, the contact holding devices being arranged for removal to permit the withdrawal or" the contact carrier subsequent to the molding operation. To this end in the specific embodiment shown the contact carrier is of substantially disk form and pro vided with a central aperture 56 of suitable size to receive the stem 36, of the support 35, said aperture communicating with a recess or enlargement 57 in the under side of the carrier. For the purpose of the construction of the specific article adapted to be made in the mold illustrated, it is desirable to provide a plurality of socket members or rim contacts a of lamp receptacles or like electrical fixtures, all electrically connected as by a conducting strip a and center contacts b all electrically connected as by a conductor the terminal connections of said conductors, a, 6 being exposed in a suitable recess in the molded material, but the conductors being otherwise completely embedded in the insulation. It also preferably provide screw posts 0 embedded in the material, and further provide apertures for the reception of retaining devices and the wiring of the fixture. in the carriers are provided recesses 58 opening into the recess 57, to temporarily receive screws 59, which take through and retain the connectors a, l) and their internally threaded terminal studs 0 and d, respectively. Recesses 50 are also provided for receiving the retaining screw studs 6, which are temporarily secured in position by screws 61, taking through suitable apertures'trom the under side of the r 55. From the upper surface of the or eritend projections, or studs, 62, of

car suitable shape to "form through the central area of the article to be molded, openings for the reception of wiring, fastening appliances, or the like. in some instances it may be desirable further to mold into the article a central screw threaded nipple, such as that shown at 63, and for the purpose of receiving such nipple the recess 39 is provided in the anchor member 37.

In the use of my improved mold and appliances the assemblage of parts begins with only the base 10 and configuration determining member 12 in the position shown in Fig. l, and with all of theplugs 17 retracted Without the material area to be filled. Now the plate 35 with its projecting stem 36 is set in place and a contact carrier, to which the contact parts have been secured in the manner illustrated l igs. l and 5, isset upon the support 85, as shown in Fig. l. Nova the ring structure 19 is'rotated by the handle 21 to slowly force radially inward the plug 17, which, when the carrier is properly positioned, slip into the shells at to accurately position them in the material space, and receive in their recesses or pockets 17" the center contacts 5. N ow the nipple 63 is inserted in the recess 89 in the anchor member, to be there retained by a drop of fusible adhesive material, or by a closeness of fit, and the anchor member is slipped upon the stem 36 so that its under surface rests firmly upon the tops of the projections 62, as best shown in Fig. 1. Now, molten glass or other plastic material is poured into the material area to surround and embed the contact, and when sufiicient material is in place, the ring structure 28 is quickly applied and locked in position, and the cap structure 4:1 pressed down into position by a suitable press, in the well known manner.

It will be understood that the springpressed follower 5O strikes the end of the anchor member l0 before the cap is in its final position, so that the anchor is maintained against floating from contact with the projection62 by the tension of the sprin 49. When the parts. are sulficiently cooled the cap and ring are removed, the plugs 17 are retracted to disengage the contacts, the

anchor member 37 is withdrawn leaving the nipple (33 embedded in the plastic material and the supporting block 35 is lifted out by its stem 36, carrying with it. the molded article. Now the block 35 and stem 36 are dropped out of the article, and the molded mass is put in the annealing oven with the contact carrier still in place. After the annealing, and when the article is sufliciently cooled, the screws 59 and 61 are removed and the carrier withdrawn, leaving the molded article complete. A cross section of the completed cluster socket is shown in Fig. 3, the contacts being embedded in and j'iartially surrounded by the plastic material, and the connecting conductors entirely embedded. F urthermorc, the parts 6 forxmtt-rrminal-screw receptacles, accessible :t'rointhe large recess formed in the molded article by the carrier plate, and the studs 0 present their open screw threaded ends in position to receive retaining screws for a cap, plate, snap-switch base or other article to be applied to cover the mouth of the recess in the socket fixture. I

\Vhile I have herein described in some detail an embodiment of my invention in a machine constructed for a particular purpose to which it is well adapted, it will be understood that I do not desire to limit my invention in this regard, as it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that my invention is adaptable to the making of manyobjects of plastic material of diverse forms and constructions, and that numerous changes in the construction of the a paratus might be made without departure From the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, of the United States is:

1. In a mold for insulated electrical fix, tures, a contour-forming member constituting part of the confines of a material-receiving space, provided with an aperture, and a recess-forming part, exteriorly of size and configuration to mterfit in and position an electric lamp socket, arranged for movement through said aperture to project into and to be retracted from said material receiving space.

2. In a mold for insulated electrical fixtures, a contour forming member constituting part of the confines of a material space, provided with a radial aperture, and a recess forming part, exteriorly of size and configuration to interfit in and carry an electric lamp socket, arranged for movement through said aperture to project into, and be retracted from, the material space.

3. In a mold for insulated electrical fixtures, a contour forming member constituting part of the confines of a material space, provided with a plurality of radial apertures, alike plurality of recess forming parts exteriorly of size and configuration to interfit in and carry an electric lamp socket, arranged for movement through said apertures to project into, or be retracted from said material space, and means for so moving the recess forming parts.

, 4. In a mold for insulated electrical fiX-- tures, a contour-forming member constituting part of the confines of the material receiving space, said member having a plurality of openings through the contourforming surface, a like plurality of recessforming parts mounted for movement through the respective openings and each adapted and arranged when projected through its opening into the 1naterial-receiv ing space to position in said space two disconnected electrical contacts, and means for moving said recess-forming parts. 5. In'a mold for insulated electrical fixtures, a contour-determining member constituting part of the confines of the material receiving space, said member having a plural1ty of opemngs therein, a plurality of recess-formlng plugs arranged in said openings for movement therethrough out of or to project into the material receiving space, said plugs being of suitable size to receive rim contact parts of electrical sockets, and provided with means for holding in position center contacts of such sockets, and

means for movin the plugs.

6. In a mold $01 insulated electrical fixtures, means for forming a material receiving space, a plurality of recess-forming plugs arranged for projection into or retraction from the material-receiving space, each of said plugs being adapted to receive and hold in position contact; parts of an electric socket fixture, and a common plug-moving means associated with all of the plugs arranged to simultaneously move them into or out of the material-receiving space.

7. In a mold for insulated electrical fixtures, a contour-forming member constituting parts of the confines of a material-receiving space, provided with an aperture, and a recess-formingpart, arranged for movement in said aperture, for projection into or retraction from said material-receiving space, said part being adapted to receive and hold in position in the material receiving space separated electrical contacts.

8. In a mold for insulated electrical fixtures, a contour-forming member constitutingpart of the confines of a material-receiving space, rovided with an aperture, a plug arranged or movement through said 0 en-'- in for insertion into or retraction om sald material-receiving space, said plug being ada ted to exteriorly receive and position a rim contact part of an electric socket, and provided with means for holding in position a center contact for such socket.

9. In a mold, means for forming a material receiving space, plugs movable to project into or recede from the material-receiv-' ing space for forming recesses in the molded article, a rotatable member having cam slot and pin engagement with each of the plugs, whereby rotation of said member advances all of the plugs into or retracts them from the material receiving space.

10. In a mold, the combination of a base having an annular recess therein, a contour determining member surroundedby the recess, and having radial openings therein, plugs slidable in said openings, andextending into the base recess, a ring mounted for rotation in said recess, and cam slot'and pin connections between the plugs and ring for axially advancing and retracting the plugs as the ring is moved rotarily.

11. In a mold for insulated electrical fixtures embodying partially-embedded contacts, the combination with a contour-determlning part, constituting part of the confines of a material-receiving space, of a contact carrier detachably interfittin in part of the mold outside of the materia -receiving space of the mold, said carrier being arranged to position a contact partially within the material-receiving space, and adapted for detachment from the contact by movement in a direction away from the materialreceiving space.

terial for operation to 12. In a mold of the character described, the combination with a contour-determining part, of a.carrier for the electrical contact parts, arranged, to fit in said contour-determining part,-and means for securing to said carrier the contact parts to be incorporated in the molded article, accessible from a surface of the carrier not presented to the marelease the contacts from the carrier. T I

13. In a mold of the character described, coacting contour-determinin members, and a contact carrier interpose between said members provided with means for detachably securing thereto the contact parts to be incorporated in the molded article, and provided with projections coacting with the adjoining contour-determining members forfoiiming apertures through the molded artic e.

14. In a mold of the character described,

the combination with means for determining portions of,the contour of the article to be molded, of a removable supporting block therein, and a contact carrier mounted on said supporting block, said carrier being provided with means for securing thereto the contact parts to be incorporated in the molded article.

15. In a mold of the character described, a base, a top movable to open the mold, and a supporting block in the base, having a vertical stem projecting through the'material receiving space, and affording means for removal of the block.

16. In a mold for insulated electrical fixtures, a contour-determining member forming part of the confines of the material space, a supporting block associated with said member, a stem projecting from said block through the material-receiving space,-

and a carrier apert-ured to fit over said stem provided with means for detachably securing thereto contact parts to be incorporated in the molded article.

17'. In a mold for insulated electrical fixtures, a contour-determining base member, a coacting top member, an anchor member yieldingly mounted in said top member, and a contact carrier provided with parts arranged to receive the anchor member in con tact therewith, whereby said rojections form apertures through the mol ed article.

18. In .a mold, coacting upper andlower contour determining members, an anchor member yieldingly carried by one of said members, an aperture forming stud associated with the opposite contour-determining member arranged to receive the anchor tures, the lower contour-determining mem ber 12, the removable stem 38 associated therewith, an 'upper contourdetermining member, an anchor member 37 yieldingly associated with said upper member and surrounding the stem, and aperture forming parts, arranged for interposition, when the mold is closed, between the anchor member and an opposite rigid part of the mold structure. r

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

GUSTAV A. HARTER. In the presence of Gno. T. MAY, Jr., MARY F ALLEN. 

